Buffalo Grove orthodontist buying Halloween candy

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Dr. Yan Razdolsky, an orthodontist in Buffalo Grove who owns Forever Smiles, is holding a candy buyback program to remove from his patients' possession tempting treats that can harm braces. The collected candy will be shipped to U.S. troops serving overseas.

"Caramels, taffies, licorice, bubble gum and candy bars with nuts or toffee in them can bend wires and cause brackets to come loose," said Razdolsky. "Because this can set patients back in their treatment, we devised a fun program to provide incentive for patients to give up those treats and donate them to a good cause."

Patients and their families are invited to donate these candies through Nov. 15. For every pound of candy patients donate, they receive tokens that can be redeemed for prizes in the office.

The boxes of donated candy sent to the troops also will include oral hygiene items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste.

"We want to send the message to our troops that it's OK to enjoy the occasional candy bar, but they should brush their teeth afterward," Razdolsky said.